God Doesn't Call the Qualified, He Qualifies the Called

*This is the same post that appears in the LCC devotional for this week- so if you've read it on Facebook already, then this will be a repeat for you. Also, wanted to clarify- in my first draft, I had spent some time in the first paragraph talking not only about the disciples, but also about writers of the gospels and the apostle Paul. As always, I had written WAY too much :) So I had to cut back, and when I did, I neglected to edit the line that lists "physician" as one of the occupations of the disciples. I was referring to Luke, who actually was not one of the original disciples, but shortly after Jesus' death became one of Paul's travel companions. He is believed to have also written the book of Acts and when combined with the book of Luke, his writings comprise a quarter of the entire New Testament. Scholars say that his Greek was the best of all the writers of the scriptures. Luke emphasized joy, prayer, and the Holy Spirit more than any other gospel writer. He recognized the connection between the three and their importance.  So, when I state that the disciples came from all walks of life and listed physician as one of the occupations, though Luke was not an original disciple, he certainly was a very diligent student of Jesus' life, seeking firsthand accounts and recording them beautifully for us to read thousands of years later. I just wanted to clarify. 

"God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called" is one of my all-time favorite quotations.

When you look at the twelve men who Jesus called to learn from Him and go through life with, the disciples, we can see this idea really comes into play. The disciples were average guys—nothing special. They came from all walks of life, from simple fishermen to a physician to a despised tax collector. The world did not deem them as a force for change, but Jesus saw something in them. Even though they were a little rough around the edges, He knew they could do it!

When He called, they answered. Each of the twelve men gave up life as they had come to know it to follow Jesus.

The night before Jesus was crucified, He was with these dear friends. He humbly washed their feet, they ate their last supper together, and Jesus gave them His final words. So many amazing things were spoken that night, and can be read in John, Chapters 13-17. It's well worth the time to read. Out of the many precious, final statements Jesus made that night, I want to focus on John 15:16-17:

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”

He chose them. He believed in them. He did not choose them based on their own skills or power, but rather on their willingness to follow and be empowered by Him. He appointed them to carry His message to the world and their mission was powerfully accomplished!

He didn't begin with the most educated, most spiritually fit people He could find. Instead, He wanted willing hearts and open minds. He wanted people who had room to grow and change. He wanted them to work hard and actively live out His love and teachings.

Do you realize that Jesus has also chosen us? His call has not changed—He wants us to know that we belong to Him. He wants us to live lives that reflect His glory, asks us to produce lasting fruit, and desires that we love one another.

It seems like a daunting task, but He's given us all the power and strength we need to live as His chosen people! Just as He was confident that the disciples would be able to carry out His plans, I believe He is confident that we, by the power of His Spirit living in and through us, can do the same today.